2014 NHL Playoffs: 5 Flyers who need to step up to beat Rangers

PHILADELPHIA -- The Flyers and Rangers split their four-game regular-season series, but Philadelphia must do something it hasn't done since 2011 if it hopes to advance to the second round:

Win at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers have home-ice-advantage in the series that starts Thursday night in New York -- which means that the Flyers cannot move on unless they snap their three-year losing streak at the Garden.

The four games against the Flyers this season revealed that the Rangers can have a fragile psyche at times, especially if they fall behind early.

“Speed -- they play a fast game, they're an attack team now,” Flyers first-year head coach Berube said about the Rangers. “They have three balanced lines that can score. They play a fast game and they try to forecheck hard. Their defense is also aggressive. It's a quick game out there with them.”

Here's a look at Flyers who must step up for Philly to win:

1. Steve Mason: A hot goaltender can pull a team through the grind of the postseason, and that 's what the Flyers need from Mason. His only playoff experience came as a rookie with the Columbus Blue Jackets, when he posted a 4.27 goals-against average in a sweep by the Detroit Red Wings. The Flyers hope Mason's career-best 33 wins in 61 regular-season starts carry over into the playoffs.

2. Vinny Lecavalier: Since being demoted to the fourth line in late March, the 33-year old has scored five goals and added two assists, becoming one of the Flyers' league-leading seven 20-plus goal scorers. That kind of balanced scoring will be crucial for the Flyers in this series.

3. Sean Couturier: The center has a tough draw in this series and could struggle to be a factor offensively, since he'll likely be matched up against New York's top line of Derek Stepan, Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis. The challenge for the Flyers' 13-goal-scorer will be stepping up defensively, especially limiting odd-man rushes that have hurt the Flyers in matchups with the Rangers.

4. Kimmo Timonen: This could be the veteran defenseman's last ride and against the high-powered Rangers, Timonen will need to help anchor the Flyers' blue line. The 39-year old is minus-1 in four games against the Rangers this season. Timonen will likely be paired with Brayden Coburn and could be tasked with slowing the Rangers' top line, although Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault will have the last shift in the first two games.

5. Scott Hartnell: Following his silly spearing penalty Sunday and subsequent fine, Hartnell must be a catalyst but also keep his emotions in check. Hartnell has scored one goal against the Rangers this season.